Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance

INSIGHTi

Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance
Updated August 6, 2024
Introduction
The majority of funding in the United States for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation comes from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which defines mitigation as “any sustained action to
reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.”
Mitigation actions have a long-term impact, as opposed to actions associated with immediate
preparedness, response, and recovery activities. A widely cited study by the Multihazard Mitigation
Council found that society saves $6 for every dollar spent on mitigation funded through major federal
mitigation grants.
FEMA administers three hazard mitigation grant programs and one loan program, collectively referred to
as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA):
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP);
• Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA);
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); and
• Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program (STRLF).
Eligible applicants for the grant programs include state and local governments and federally recognized
tribes. Certain nonprofit organizations may apply for HMGP. Individuals may not apply for HMA
funding, but may benefit from a community application. Applicants must have FEMA-approved hazard
mitigation plans.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C.
§5170c). HMGP assistance is triggered by a major disaster declaration from the President or a Fire
Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) and is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). The key
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purpose of the HMGP program is to ensure that rebuilding after a disaster addresses opportunities to
include mitigation measures to reduce the loss of life and property from future disasters.
HMGP funding is awarded as a formula grant to a state based on the estimated total federal assistance per
major disaster declaration or FMAG, subject to a sliding scale (42 U.S.C. §5170c(a), 44 C.F.R.
§206.432(b)). HMGP funding normally does not exceed 15% of the estimated total aggregate federal
grant amount, but states with an approved Enhanced State Mitigation Plan in effect before the disaster are
eligible for HMGP funding of 20% of such amount. HMGP funds may be used to pay up to 75% of
eligible activity costs. States can use HMGP funds for any eligible activity for any type of hazard and are
not limited to the hazard or area for which the grant was awarded.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Pre-disaster mitigation funding is authorized by Section 203 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. §5133), with
the goal of reducing overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard of all types, while
also reducing reliance on federal funding to respond to future disasters. Funding for pre-disaster
mitigation changed significantly with the passage of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA,
Division D of P.L. 115-254). DRRA authorized a new source of funding called the National Public
Infrastructure Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund. For each major disaster declaration, the President may set
aside from the DRF an amount equal to 6% of the estimated aggregate amount of the grants to be made
pursuant to the following sections of the Stafford Act:
• 403 (essential assistance)
• 406 (repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities)
• 407 (debris removal)
• 408 (federal assistance to individuals and households)
• 410 (unemployment assistance)
• 416 (crisis counseling assistance and training)
• 428 (public assistance program alternative program procedures)
The funds from this 6% set-aside go to the pre-disaster mitigation fund. There is potential for significantly
increased funding following a year with many big disasters, but funding could also be less in a year with
few disasters. As of June 30, 2024, there was $4.633 billion in the 6% set-aside in the DRF.
FEMA introduced a new program, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant Program
(BRIC) in FY2020. Federal funding is generally available for up to 75% of the eligible activity costs;
however, small, impoverished communities and Community Disaster Resilience Zones are eligible for up
to a 90% federal cost share. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) appropriated $1 billion for
BRIC, with $200 million in each of FY2022-FY2026. This funding is in addition to the 6% set-aside.
$500 million was available for BRIC in FY2020, $1 billion in FY2021, $2.295 billion in FY2022, and $1
billion in FY2023, with funding in FY2023 available in five categories:
• State/territory allocation
• Tribal set-aside
• State/territory building codes plus up
• Tribal buildings codes plus up
• National competition
The building codes plus up funding was new in FY2023 and will be available again in FY2024, to support
the adopting and enforcement of building codes. BRIC also offers non-financial

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Direct Technical Assistance to support communities and tribes that may not have the resources to begin
mitigation planning and project solution design on their own.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA)
To reduce comprehensive flood risk, FEMA also operates a Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program
funded through revenue collected by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), with the goal of
mitigating NFIP-insured flood-damaged properties to reduce or eliminate NFIP claims. FMA funding is
only available to communities that participate in the NFIP. Generally, federal funding is available for up
to 75% of eligible costs. However, FEMA may contribute up to 90% for repetitive loss properties and
properties in certain disadvantaged communities and up to 100% for severe repetitive loss properties. The
IIJA appropriated $3.5 billion for FMA, with $700 million for each of FY2022-FY2026, and a total of
$800 million was available in FY2023 for FMA.
Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program (STRLF)
A new program known as the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program (STRLF)
authorizes FEMA to enter into agreements with eligible entities to establish low-interest revolving loan
funds for hazard mitigation. Eligible entities for STRLF are states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
and federally-recognized tribes with major disaster declarations. The IIJA appropriated $500 million for
STRLF, with $100 million for each of FY2022-FY2026. $50 million was available for STRLF in FY2023
and $150 million is available for FY2024. STRLF funding can be used for the nonfederal cost share for
other HMA grants.

Author Information

Diane P. Horn

Specialist in Flood Insurance and Emergency
Management



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